17Or if I send a sword against that land, and say, Sword, go through the land, cutting off from it man and beast:
18Even if these three men were in it, by my life, says the Lord, they would not keep safe their sons or daughters, but only themselves.
19Or if I send disease into that land, letting loose my wrath on it in blood, cutting off from it man and beast:
20Even if Noah, Daniel, and Job were in it, by my life, says the Lord, they would not keep son or daughter safe; only themselves would they keep safe through their righteousness.
21For this is what the Lord has said: How much more when I send my four bitter punishments on Jerusalem, the sword and need of food and evil beasts and disease, cutting off from it man and beast?
22But truly, there will still be a small band who will be safe, even sons and daughters: and they will come out to you, and you will see their ways and their doings: and you will be comforted about the evil which I have sent on Jerusalem, even about everything I have sent on it.
23They will give you comfort when you see their ways and their doings: and you will be certain that not for nothing have I done all the things I have done in it, says the Lord.